A Breath of Fresh Air For NYC Workplaces
Photo by: @csoref
A new study conducted by Amast looked to find out which NYC neighborhoods have the best and worst air quality, according to New Yorkers themselves. The results might come as a surprise to some New Yorkers.
The study— conducted between January 1st and June 15th, 2020— used data from New York City’s 311 database to compare the number of air quality-related complaints made this year with the amount of complaints made last year.
Which boroughs have the worst air quality, according to New Yorkers?
This year’s title goes to Greenpoint and Williamsburg— results that are reflected in upward trends of traffic, pollution, and home buyers seeking real estate in those areas.
In particular, Brooklyn saw the highest volume of complaints, with the Upper West Side arriving in second, followed by Astoria. On the opposite end, the fewest air quality-related complaints came out of the Bronx.
Workplaces do not exist in a vacuum. If an entire neighborhood suffers from poor air quality, then any homes, workplaces, or indoor spaces there will suffer from poor air quality too.
Studies conducted by the International Center for Indoor Environment and Energy with the Technical University of Denmark found that productivity is reduced 6-9% in workplace environments where air quality is poor. The study continues that it is more energy efficient to focus on eliminating pollutants by cleaning and disinfecting than it is to purchase an industrial-grade air purification system.
Oftentimes, new clients call us with concerns over air quality in their workplace facilities. Their business may be showing such symptoms as high rates of absence among employees and increased complaints of allergies. In cases like this, we often discuss the intertwined relationship of cleaning and disinfecting with air filtration and ventilation.
At S Grace Facilities, we are proud of the long-lasting coverage we provide through our commercial cleaning and disinfection services.
The reason our coverage is so long-lasting is because we bring a solution for every factor that contributes to your specific facility’s poor air quality.
When creating a master plan to improve air quality in your facilities, we assess:
Temperatures in the Facility, which can easily become unregulated in harsh New York winters.
Humidity. Outside temperatures impact temperatures indoors, so we bring a solution that accommodates for ever-changing weather.
Indoor Pollutants like cigarette smoke and household cleaners. S Grace Facilities helps businesses manage these risks.
Outdoor Pollutants that can drift indoors, such as car and boiler exhaust, fire or chemical releases.
Ventilation and Air Flow, which we moderate as part of our commercial disinfection services.
Building maintenance— poor maintenance can lead to cracks and leaks, which can cause pest infestations, mold growth, and building damage.
Living and working in New York City comes with its health and safety risks. This creates an opportunity for employers in NYC.
And other metropolitan areas too, for that matter. Not only do you, as the Employer of a well-deserving staff, get to offer them fresh air and clean spaces; you get to provide a healthy retreat away from the hazards of the city, and a refuge from workplaces where unsafe conditions pose giant health threats.
An infographic by the American Lung Association reveals that, “many potential causes of lung disease are found in the workplace, but they are easy to control with the proper measures.”
The infographic continues:
10 million+ employees miss work because of asthma.
56$ billion is spent yearly on healthcare costs and lost productivity.
11 million workers are exposed to chemicals, irritants or allergens that cause symptoms at work.
200 million days of productive work are lost due to the flu.
S Grace Facilities offers a wide range of commercial cleaning services that purify the air, sanitize services, and disinfect everything in between.
The American Lung Association infographic above charts a variety of factors that create a hazard for lung disease to employees, and reduce air quality.
Hazards include things we may be aware we are breathing— like vehicle exhaust, cleaning chemicals and secondhand smoke; they also include things we not be aware about— like mold spores, airborne dust, and even pests such as cockroaches and mice.
Facility Managers wanting to improve a workspace’s air quality need a total-package cleaning service.
S Grace Facilities treats workplaces like the ecosystems they are— where there are living, breathing, unique humans. Humans who must be more than healthy when they’re at work. They must be productive.
Even though the workplace is indoors, it functions like an ecosystem. In order for employees to be productive, they must be healthy. In order for them to stay healthy, they must live healthy lifestyles and avoid unhealthy spaces. Seeing as Americans spend most of their waking hours at work, it’s critical those waking hours are spent in healthy, hygienic environments.
Working with S Grace Facilities eliminates any need for you to weigh options. We will see to it that you and yours receive the full treatment.
Our goal is to provide you complete coverage without compromise. While designing our Commercial Cleaning and Disinfection Services, we returned again and again to our philosophy that the workplace functions like an ecosystem, and is a place where air quality impacts both the cleanliness of surfaces and your employee’s lungs. Therefore our services aim to treat the whole, entire ecosystem, rather than bits and pieces of it.
When considering which measures you should take to improve air quality in your workplace; talk to one of our Specialists about:
Bringing tools to test air quality and air flow in your facilities, checking for odors, leaks, standing water, water damage, mold growth in the floors, the walls, the ceilings, the vents, and everything in-between.
Inspecting your air ducts for signs that they are negatively impacting air quality or circulation. We will assess and correct any issues before they negatively impact your employees.
Coordinating with you to develop a routine cleaning and disinfecting schedule that includes frequent vacuuming and dusting, and deep surface cleaning. This prevents pollutants from mixing with the air, falling onto surfaces, and blanketing the entire office.
Working with you to eliminate any chemicals that release harmful odors or contaminants, and improving circulation of clean air throughout your facilities.
Saving you the expense of remediating mold growth by taking preventative measures against it. We will clean up any spills or waste swiftly so that mold spores cannot thrive in residual dampness or excess moisture.
Installing dehumidifiers and air conditioners to maintain healthy levels of humidity in your office, and keep dust mites, mold, and other allergens under control.
Replacing air filters in your facilities every 6-12 months to prevent them from becoming clogged, and clearing anything that obstructs air vents and restricts air flow— such as furniture.
Fresh air has never been more appetizing to American workers than now. For employees, the promise of breathing clean air while at work is one of the best perks their employer can offer, especially in New York City.
S Grace Facilities is a national Facility Management & Janitorial Services specializing in Commercial Cleaning and Disinfection Services. We are dedicated to helping employers and their teams breathe easily.
For more resources on improving air quality and hygiene in your workplaces facilities:
Check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines for Office Building Occupants on Improving Indoor Air Quality.
Find out the air quality of your neighborhood with this real-time, Air Quality Index Tool.
Contact an S Grace Facilities specialist, or visit our website.